Zadar Travel Guide

Zadar is the fifth largest city of Croatia, the administrative centre of North Dalmatia. In the south, North Dalmatia ends with the city of Primosten, and in the north, with the isle of Pag.

The population of Zadar is 72 718 people (2006).

Zadar is the administrative centre of North Dalmatia.

Zadar history

Zadar was founded in the 1st century BC. Initially, it was called Jader. This was the name given to it by Romans, who founded the city.

However, in the 4th century BC North Dalmatia was captured by Slav tribes. Then, this area was under the rule of Byzantine Empire.

Starting from the 7th century, for three centuries, Zadar remained the main city of the Byzantine region of Dalmatia most of the time. The influence of Byzantine empire was evident in the fact that there are Orthodox churches in the city, of the kind of architecture which is characteristic of them. In 1358 the king of Hungary and Croatia captured Zadar once more. And in 1409 Venetians came to power.

In the 14th century a university was founded in the city. Zadar was under the Venetian rule for for centuries. And in 1797 in was captured by Napoleon, just like Venice itself.

From that moment to 1805 Zadar was part of the Habsburg Monarchy. In 1813, after Napoleon was defeated, the city and all of Dalmatia came under the power of Austria. But in 1918 Zadar ecame part of Italy. In 1941, thanks to Mussolini all the territory of Dalmatia was made part of Italy. However, 3 years later, Yugoslavian troops liberated it.

And in 1947 Dalmatia formally returned to Yugoslavia. During the Second World War Zadar was badly damaged in air bombings, and many buildings had to be restored from the ground up.

In 1991, there was military action in the vicinity of Zadar once again. The city was under Serbian fire. Moreover, a bridge was destroyed. After the military operations, a number of minefields remained close to Zadar. 10 years later many of them have been disposed of, but in some areas minefields still pose danger.

The University of Zadar – www.unizd.hr – is one of the oldest educational institutions of Croatia.

Sightseeing in Zadar

The Old city of Zadar is located on a picturesque peninsula, mightly fortress walls have preserved it until our time.

Stara Siroka is a street stretched in place of an ancient Roman road, it separates the city into two parts toward the west.

The main sights of Zadar are concentrated around the street: the church of St Simeon (a Roman sarcophagus decorated with unique bas reliefs), People’s square in place of an ancient Roman forum — the centre of the city life.

The city lodge of the Venetian period is also located here, now it is an exhibition gallery.

The naval gate in the northern part of the square lead to a more modern part of the city.

To the west of People’s square is the Roman forum (the largest Roman forum on the eastern shore of the Adriatic), and the symbol of the city — the church of St Donatus (there’s a fee for entering it).

Great acoustics allows for having concerts of classical and folk music. Behind the Forum there is the fascinating Archaeological museum with excavations of the Roman period.

The cathedral of Zadar is in the northwestern part of the Forum.

One of the modern sights of Zadar is the Sea organ, built on the embankment in 2005. It looks like numerous stone steps leading to the sea, the sound is made by underwater pipes.

Summer evenings, when enjoying the sunset, the guests of the city enjoy this natural symphony.

Zadar is the best European destination in 2016

The rating of Best European Destination tourism portal based on a survey of more than 300 000 users.
Zadar was elected of the Best European Destination 2016 ahead of Athens, Plovdiv, Nantes, The Azores Islands, Paris, Novi Sad, Brussels, Kotor, Milan, Prague, Rome, Vienna, Madrid and Nicosia…

Croatian Atlantis – underwater Liburnian village 3500 years old!

Zadar archaeologists in the past year found the underwater city of Liburnia area – part of ancient Illyria – now this is the territory of Northern Dalmatia – Zadar riviera and islands.

Beaches in Zadar & islands

The beaches of Zadar and of the islands of the riviera of Zadar are exceptional for the variety and richness of the seashore, there are many large and small bays, islands and peninsulas here. Some islands of the riviera of Zadar are not inhabited and are open for the “Robinsons” seeking rest.
The islands, beaches of Zadar and the riviera are also different, there are sandy, small-pebbled secluded beaches among the rocks. The beaches of Zadar invite wind surfers and kite surfers, children and lovers of night life. Here, everyone will find his own “piece of Paradise!”

Apartments Villa Ivana B&B 3* Zadar Croatia

SUPERB rating 9.3 / 10Review score based on 156 reviewsDistance to the nearest beach: 20 mDistance to center of Zadar: 3 kmDistance to airport Zadar: 8 kmAdd: just steps from a beach with free use of the deck chairs and parasols, spacious rooftop terrace with a bar overlooking the sea, garden, air conditioning, hairdryer, free Wi-Fi, breakfast is served daily at the breakfast hallCost apartment 2+2: from 78 euro

Get to Zadar by train:

Croatian railway website with the train schedules travelling around Croatia, with the possibility of booking a ticket www.hzpp.hr
Address railway station of Zadar – 23000 Zadar Ante Starcevica, 3

The railway station of Zadar is the destination for trains and cars from the capital of Croatia — Zagreb and Split, and of some cities of Europe.

Getting to Zadar by bus:

Bus traffic connects Split with all cities of Croatia, and with some European cities – Trieste, Ljubljana, Vienna, Zurich, Rotterdam, Munich.
Official web site the Zadar bus station www.liburnija-zadar.hr